OpenFieldHokkai-Gakuen International Student Special Tuition Exemption Award
Merit-based institutional award granting tuition fee reductions to qualified overseas candidates pursuing graduate studies in engineering, economics, and humanities.
Hokkai-Gakuen University: Civil Engineering, Cold-Region Economics & Law Guide
Established in 1885 in Sapporo, Hokkai-Gakuen University is the oldest and largest comprehensive private university on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. Operating two modern campuses (Toyohira and Yamahana), HGU is internationally celebrated for cold-climate civil engineering, environmental geotechnical science, northern regional economics, and legal administration.
Verified degree programs and opportunities
Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:
Master of Engineering in Cold-Region Infrastructure and Geotechnics
Two-year master's program providing specialized engineering training in seismic-resistant structural design, snow disaster prevention, and durable cold-weather concrete.
Doctor of Philosophy in Cold-Climate Environmental Engineering
Three-year doctoral program investigating thermodynamic phase-change mechanics in frozen soils, ice accretion on transmission towers, and cold-region renewable energy.
Hokkaido Cold-Region Development & Regional Economics Research Grant
Funded research project assessing regional economic rejuvenation, geothermal district heating systems, and northern logistics corridors across Hokkaido.
Sapporo Urban Transportation and Snow Infrastructure Practicum
Three-month internship collaborating with Sapporo City transportation engineering bureaus and construction contractors monitoring winter road heating and snow removal telemetry.
Hokkai-Gakuen Senior Postdoctoral Fellow in Environmental Geotechnics
Two-year postdoctoral fellowship conducting experimental testing on soil liquefaction under freeze-thaw cycles and microbial-induced calcite precipitation for slope stabilization.
Hokkai Educational Foundation Northern Pioneer Scholarship
Foundation scholarship established to support international scholars who demonstrate exemplary academic performance, community involvement, and dedication to northern studies.
Admissions, language requirements & application process
- Master's admission eligibility
- Accredited Bachelor's degree (16 years of formal education) in engineering, economics, law, or humanities with a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.
- Doctoral admission eligibility
- Graduate School of Engineering and Graduate School of Law doctoral courses; requiring a Master's degree (Shushi), thesis submission, and academic defense.
- Language proficiency
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2 or N1 for Japanese-taught tracks; TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.0 for international engineering research programs.
- Research statement / Proposal
- Required for graduate applicants: 2,000-character Japanese or 1,200-word English research proposal (Kenkyu Keikakusho) outlining clear methodology.
- Application fee
- ¥30,000 JPY standard Japanese graduate entrance examination fee.
- Required documentation
- Graduation certificate and academic transcripts, JLPT/TOEFL scorecards, research plan, two letters of recommendation, and personal statement of purpose.
Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems
Tuition at Hokkai-Gakuen University is approximately ¥850,000 to ¥1,150,000 JPY per year (plus a one-time admission fee of ¥200,000 JPY). International students are eligible for a 30% to 50% tuition reduction scholarship based on academic review, in addition to JASSO monthly honors scholarships.
Verified faculty profiles and research leaders
Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at Hokkai-Gakuen University:
Prof. Dr. Shinji Sugiyama
Professor of Geotechnical Engineering & Department Chair · Cold-Region Geotechnics, Soil Freezing Mechanics, Slope Stability, Disaster Prevention
Prof. Dr. Masahiko Terakado
Professor of Regional Economics & Public Policy · Regional Economic Development, Public Infrastructure Economics, Hokkaido Industrial Policy, Fiscal Decentralization
Prof. Dr. Hiroshi Tomita
Professor of Environmental Fluid Dynamics & Wind Engineering · Wind Engineering, Snowdrift Aerodynamics, Urban Microclimate, Atmospheric Boundary Layer
Important verification note
Facts reflect official Hokkai-Gakuen University documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue